The manufacturer Kate, formerly Nosmoke, announces a new electric car whose code name is called K1. Positioned in the same segment as the Ami de Citroën, it will be manufactured in France and will be available for pre-order “in a few months”. It will be accompanied by a new electric beach car which will be called Originale.
The Citroën Ami, tested here, clearly did not create the segment of cars without a licence. There is Aixam, one of the emblematic brands of this market (if not THE emblematic brand). A brand that even has in its catalog carts without a license 100% electric since 2010. And yet, the best-known electric cart today is certainly the Ami. A small car which was widely talked about when it was launched and which continues to be the benchmark for its competitors.
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Very diverse competitors among which you find the Twizy and the Mobilize Duo from Renault. The Aixam cars of course. As well as some amazing opportunities, like the retro-looking electric off-road car launched in 2012 by the French brand Nosmoke. This model is a reinterpretation of the iconic Mini Moke, the British manufacturer BMC’s beach car immortalized in the cinema in the 1960s by James Bond or Fantomas.
Nosmoke becomes Kate and launches the K1 to compete with the Ami
Even if the cart has sold 1500 copies, the Nosmoke brand has remained quite confidential for the past 12 years. But she has just been bought out and renamed Kate. Under this new identity, the manufacturer intends to “make a name for itself” in the city electric car market. And its plan revolves around two axes. The first is to launch a more conventional electric model. His code name: Kate K1. You can the first official teaser of this car by following this link.
The K1 will logically come in two models. A first with an engine less than 50 cm3, in order to respond directly to Citroën. And a second with a slightly beefier engine to tease Aixam. On the technical sheet side, nothing extravagant. On the other hand, it is at the level of design that Kate’s car should stand out. The manufacturer announces that pre-orders will be open in a few months. Implied before the end of 2023.
The second axis of its strategy is based on the electric beach cart. A new model is in preparation. And she will be called Kate Originale, a nod to Nosmoke who was able to relaunch this trend. The design will remain the same. Components too. Kate takes the opportunity to expand the range with 3 versions whose autonomy is staggered from 70 to 90 km/h and autonomy included between 110 and 240 km. This range should be complete before the end of the year.
